The next step is for management and union leadership to work systematically toward an agreement through periodic meetings. Districts have found that this process can take up to six months, so getting an early start is important. If negotiations are stalled, an outside facilitator/mediator may be helpful.
ELT schools offer the following advice for reaching an agreement:
- Communicate, Communicate, Communicate. In the past, districts that failed to communicate with and involve union leadership and teachers from the very beginning of the planning process generally failed at forging agreements.
- It is never too early to include the union in the exploration of ELT. Some districts have avoided contacting the union until they felt all their questions about ELT were answered. The point of the planning and redesign process is to explore what things ELT can add to your school day—there will always be questions surrounding ELT. It is essential to begin your planning with union representation at the table.
- Reassure union representatives that if teachers are working longer hours, they will be compensated for their work. Each of the schools currently implementing ELT has a different compensation package for their teachers, but every teacher who works extra hours at an ELT school is being paid more.
- ELT is not just about more time for academics and enrichment; it’s also about more teacher time (professional development, collaborative planning time, and time for individual preparation.) Encourage union representatives to be on the planning team so that they will have an active voice in the redesign efforts.
- In working to determine possible compensation scenarios, keep in mind that teacher salaries are only one cost associated with the longer day. The ELT budget needs to cover all costs. Compensation scenarios should be developed in tandem with cost estimates for the entire ELT program.
